Despite significant developments in recent days, completing the delayed peace process in Nepal within the next four months is a tough task views the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN).

Despite significant developments in recent days, completing the delayed peace process in Nepal within the next four months is a tough task views the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN).

The mission, which is monitoring the peace process since 2007, got its final four-month extension last week and will wind up operations in January next year.

In the past 10 days, there has been an agreement between the caretaker government and opposition Maoists to complete the contentious issue of integrating former rebels into mainstream within four months.

“We welcome the latest developments and hope this momentum will be maintained,” said Karin Landgren, UNMIN chief and Secretary of UN Secretary General in Nepal here on Wednesday.

She added that the two main tasks for the UN body now are to ensure that the peace process gets completed and making arrangements for its orderly withdrawal when the extended tenure gets over.

Nepali Congress elects new leader

Nepal’s oldest political party, Nepali Congress, elected a new leader on Wednesday. Acting President Sushil Koirala, 71, who took charge after his uncle, Girija Prasad Koirala’s death in March will head the party for another four years.Min